How do I grow Peonies from seed?

I have a beautiful Peonie bush that I would love to be able to gather seed from and grow another. I am just not sure how to do it. Do the seeds need to dry? Are the pods left after the flowers die actually seeds? I know it may be easier to divide the plant but I am reluctant to do so because I don't want to lose this plant. The flowers are the size of a super-sized grapefruit and the color of RED VELVET! Thanks for any help!

How do I grow Peonies from seed?
Peony seeds are double dormant and require cold stratification. Some peonies produce red %26amp; black seeds in the same seed pod. Discard the red seeds and use only the black seeds as these are the only fertile seeds. Place the seeds in a pot this fall %26amp; leave outdoors to chill the seeds. Or place the seeds in a zip-lock bag with some sand and just slightly moisten the sand. Put the bag of seeds in your refrigerator for at least 90 days, then sow.



During the first summer's growth, the seeds will only develop roots. A second period of cold (another winter) is required before vegetative growth will appear in the second season. So don't expect to see the plant the first year after sowing seeds.



The alternative is to sow the seeds in a pot with bottom heat at 65 - 75 degrees F for 3 months. Then refrigerate the pots at 41 degrees F for another 3 months. Now the plant should be ready to generate new shoots. Remember that peonies like to be transplanted in fall, so grow them in the pots until its time to transplant.
Reply:growing peonies from seed is next to impossible. your best bet is to divide ...take 1/3 of the root system, you won't harm your existing plant, down side.... if you do it this way it will take a year or two for your new plant to flower. I have peonies in my yard that were originally from my great grandmothers stock....the root systems are well over 90 years old! if you divide carefully, everything should be fine. we always divided in the early spring or fall it depends on where you live.

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When can I lay down mulch?

I am new to gardening and I just planted some flowers from seeds in my flower bed. I would like to add mulch to the area but have no idea when that should be done. Should I wait until the flowers start to come up or can it be laid down loosely now and can the flowers grow up through it? Please help!

When can I lay down mulch?
Don't mulch until the plants are well established. The purpose of mulch is to smother weeds, but it will also smother young plants that you want. Mulch also retains soil moisture and keeps the soil cooler. You want your flowers to germinate and get established in warm soil before you mulch.
Reply:I would wait until the seeds have sprouted and they are a few inches tall (maybe about 3 inches). The seeds need warmth from sunlight and to be planted at a certain depth so if they are covered up with mulch the sun won't be able to get thru and they may be too deep. So I would wait a little while and then mulch. Hope that helps!
Reply:I agree with what the others say but would add that, as part of the intent is to retain moisture, doing it when the soil is moist is a good idea, especially if the mulch is dry when you put it on (like cocoa shells are).

Where are the seeds of Bananas?

Bananas, I've never fully understood them. They are flowering plants aren't they, so where are their flowers?



Some people way the seeds are inside the bananas, is the banana like the ovary of the flower?



How does the banana tree attract pollinators, it has something separate which looks like a flower? Who are the main pollinators of banana trees?



What are the parts of banana trees flowers?



Thanks for helping, I'm just curious about banana plants^^

Where are the seeds of Bananas?
The typical bananas we get are 'seedless'. The undeveloped seeds are those black speck in the fruit. This plant is never raised from seeds it is propagated from a rhizome. It has been selected for its ability to produce fruit by parthenocarpy or fruit grown without pollination.

Yes the banana is the grown flower ovary as are all fruit. In the banana's case it is classed as a berry because the seeds are embedded in the flesh.

In the wild the banana (Musa accuminata) still reproduces with seed bearing fruit. The flowers hang in a large group (an inflorescence) in two sexes. The female flowers are born near to the base and the male near the tip.

http://www.bananas.org/f15/banana-flower...

Pollinators include bats and birds.

http://florawww.eeb.uconn.edu/collection...

http://www.botgard.ucla.edu/html/botanyt...

Banana Tree Hybrid history

http://www.tytyga.com/publication/The+Hi...
Reply:im not an expert but I THINK the seeds are in the actual fruit of the banana and the 'peel' is the flower.im probably wrong..
Reply:The typical bananas we get are 'seedless'.

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How does a ficus tree reproduce (I mean in nature not with human in)?

I know that my ficus is not an angyosperm. It does not produce flowers nor seeds????

How does a ficus tree reproduce (I mean in nature not with human in)?
Well, the wasp *does* do the pollinating, as in the previous answer. But you are wrong when you say that the fig tree is not an angiosperm because it is. One of my botany textbooks described the structure that we call a fig as "an invaginated floral axis" ... in other words it is derived from something like the finger of a rubber glove with flowers all over it but turned inside out so that the flowers are on the inside. There is a small pore at the top of the fig where the (very small) wasp can get in.



If you cut a young fig lengthways through the pore you should be able to see the small flowers inside. You may even see a wasp if you are looking at a native fig rather than one cultivated for eating ... the wasps are species specific and they are not necessarily found near cultivated figs.



Link is to a pic from the Encyclopedia Britannica site (don't go to the site itself because it has nasty pop-ups)
Reply:Ficus (figs) depend on wasps.



From Wikipedia:

"The flowers are pollinated by very small wasps that crawl through the opening in search of a suitable place to reproduce (lay eggs). Without this pollinator service fig trees cannot reproduce by seed. In turn, the flowers provide a safe haven and nourishment for the next generation of wasps."

Getting plants started - question?

I bought some packets of flower seeds (perienniel) today.?



These are the ones that cost around $1.oo and have about 50 little seeds in each packet. I bought Viola and two others. I have those little 3x4 planters. I filled them with dirt, ready to plant.



The main question is: how many of those little seeds in the pack do you put in one little pot?

Getting plants started - question?
3-4 seeds per pot and make sure that they stay moist. I liked the peat pots the best since you can just bury the pot when they start sprouting. Happy Planting
Reply:Hi:

I have germinated thousands of seeds in both a greenhouse and indoors. I agree with the other answers, three to four seeds per pot. There are a few other key things you can do to ensure your seeds do well in the germination process.



Purchase some light weight potting soil, with no bark. Add some vermiculite and some humus to the soil. Add hot tap water to the soil mixture. The hot water is great for the roots to get established. I will link you to the spice and herb section of my website. There is a page on herb growing from seeds. You do flowers and vegetables the same way. I will also link you to the site map, as this page has everything that is on the website. There are many articles, tips, and techniques that you may be able to use. Good luck with your flower seeds and have a great day!

Kimberly



http://www.landscape-solutions-for-you.c...



http://www.landscape-solutions-for-you.c...
Reply:Did you use soil from the ground? If so, they might not grow for you. You need a starter soil that you can buy at a nursery or gardening center.



Don't let them dry out until they have four sets of leaves, then you can hold back.



Happy gardening to you.
Reply:they usually suggest 3-4 seeds per pot. then you thin out the smallest seedlings as they start to sprout.



good luck
Reply:about 3-4

I need easy flowers and plants to put in an entrance walkway?

We just bought our house last summer and we are totally clueless to landscaping. There is a flower bed about 6x1 right outside the entrance walkway. Ofcourse there is nothing but weeds in it right now but I would like to put something in there that is easy to maintain that can resist alot of direct sun. We're in Texas and temps can get up to 105. Any ideas? Also, do I plant seeds or the flowers you get in the little containers. Much detail is requested as I have no idea what to do.

I need easy flowers and plants to put in an entrance walkway?
A perfect plant for this location would be Portulaca or as it's sometimes called Rose Moss. First and foremost, the plant not only survives in heat, but thrives in it! Second, the colors of Portulaca are all the colors of the rainbow and absolutely brilliant in the intensity of the color. It will make your entry way a very showy focal point coming up to your house. Third, since the plant is also low growing it will probably spill over the sides of your walkway for even more color. Fourth, the plant is considered drought tolerant, but will thrive with occasional watering. Fifth, Portulaca likes a sandy loam soil---which you should have plenty of in Texas. Buy the Portulaca plants you'll find at your local nursery that are already established and growing---they usually come in 6 packs of small plants. For the area that you are looking to cover you'll need somewhere around 40 plants. Good luck!
Reply:marigolds
Reply:The thing about bulbs is once they have bloomed, they are done for the year and then you will be left with the same problem.



You can plant bulbs now for spring color every year, probably a good idea if you are going to stay at this house for awhile. Plant them deeply, then you put annuals in right over them.



Annuals are plants that need to be replanted every year. You local nursery should carry things that will work in your area. There are lots of sun lovers out there, and if you water, a sun plant should withstand the heat.



Remember, where there is bare dirt, mother nature will put a weed, so once you get everything in, cover it with a thick layer of mulch to reduce weeds.



Good luck!
Reply:there are lot of different kinds of flowers you can use, but at this time of year you could use bulbs, go to your garden center and ask them for a varity of bulbs in a few weeks time they will look a treat, get lots and lots of them, dont skimp.
Reply:Bulbs would be good. Also New Guinea Impatients (they tolerate direct sunlight), some species of begonias, succulents, salvia...You would probably be better off with actual plants rather than seeds. You might also want to ask your local nursery (plant) what they suggest. They'll know the soil, water, and sunlight conditions the best.
Reply:try hgt.com. They have all the gardening shows on cable, %26amp; feature master gardeners %26amp; landscapers. They have video, pics, plant info %26amp; care tips. They can show you what will look %26amp; work best in your area.

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What is two functional adaptations of spider monkey?

please help this assignment is due friday and i can only find one functional adaptaion of a spider monkey - it Eats fruit, nuts, seeds, flowers, leaves, insects and eggs.

CAN YOU PLEASE THINK OF ANY OTHERS??

please and thankyou!

What is two functional adaptations of spider monkey?
Think about what an adaptation is - a naturally occurring heritable trait that is favorable to survival and reproduction. Now think of where a spider monkey lives - in the trees. What traits would help a spider monkey live successfully in the trees? One answer might be their flexible prehensile tails. Another answer might be their hook-like, narrow and thumbless hands; the fingers are elongated and recurved. Both the prehensile tails and fingers allow spider monkeys to live a strictly arboreal (tree) lifestyle.

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